Description
We Want the Light – A Profound Exploration of Music and the Human Spirit DVD
UPC: 809478009092
Product Details
- Format: DVD
- Title: We Want the Light
- Director: Christopher Nupen
- Featuring:Orchestra: The Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne
- Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Daniel Barenboim
- Evgeny Kissin
- Zubin Mehta
- Itzhak Perlman
- Pinchas Zukerman
- Survivors:
- Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
- Jacques Stroumsa
- Alice Sommer Herz
- Chorus:Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy
- The Cologne Opera Chorus
- The Cologne Cathedral Children's Choir
- Language: English
- Subtitles: Not specified
- Extras:Running Time: Not specified
- Visual presentation of the music in the film
- Play music only option in surround sound
- New personal introduction by the director
- 4 hours of additional in-depth interviews
- Evgeny Kissin performs the Andante espressivo from Brahms' F Minor Piano Sonata, Op. 5
- Aspect Ratio: Not specified
- Sound Formats: Not specified
- Region Code: Not specified
- Publisher: Opus Arte / Allegro Films (2004)
- Websites:
Product Features
- Award-Winning Documentary: An extended DVD version of Christopher Nupen's acclaimed film exploring the profound impact of music during the Holocaust.
- Renowned Musicians: Features interviews and performances by world-class artists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Evgeny Kissin, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman.
- Survivor Testimonies: Includes inspiring stories from survivors Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Jacques Stroumsa, and Alice Sommer Herz, highlighting the role of music in their survival.
- Musical Masterpieces: Contains performances of works by Mahler, Bach, Schoenberg, Bruch, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Schubert, Bloch, Waxman, and Brahms.
- Bonus Material: Offers extensive extras, including a visual presentation of the music, a music-only playback option in surround sound, and four hours of in-depth interviews.
- Educational and Inspirational: Provides a deep exploration of themes such as freedom, survival, and the unifying power of music in the face of adversity.
Overview
We Want the Light is a compelling documentary that delves into the extraordinary role of music in the lives of individuals during one of history's darkest periods. Directed by Christopher Nupen, this film examines how music served as a source of hope, resistance, and spiritual sustenance during the Holocaust. The title is drawn from a poem by 12-year-old Eva Picková, written in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, embodying a universal longing for freedom and light amidst oppression.
The documentary features intimate interviews and performances by some of the most esteemed musicians of our time, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, and Itzhak Perlman. Their insights shed light on the profound connection between music and the human spirit. The inclusion of survivor testimonies from Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Jacques Stroumsa, and Alice Sommer Herz adds a deeply personal dimension, illustrating how music was integral to their endurance and survival.
Under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy, the Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne, along with the Cologne Opera Chorus and the Cologne Cathedral Children's Choir, deliver stirring performances of compositions by Mahler, Bach, and others. The film not only pays homage to the resilience of those who suffered but also celebrates the transcendent power of music to heal and unite.
Interesting Facts
- Title Significance: The title We Want the Light is taken from a poem by Eva Picková, a young girl who perished in the Holocaust, symbolizing hope amidst despair.
- Franz Waxman's Contribution: The climax of the film features Franz Waxman's "The Song of Terezín," a setting of children's poems from the Theresienstadt concentration camp.
- Exclusive Performances: Includes a special performance by Evgeny Kissin of the Andante espressivo from Brahms' F Minor Piano Sonata, Op. 5.
- Extended Interviews: The DVD offers four additional hours of interviews, providing deeper insights into the experiences and reflections of the featured artists and survivors.
- Award Recognition: Christopher Nupen is renowned for his music documentaries, and this film continues his legacy of combining biographical storytelling with exceptional musical performances.
Publishers
- Produced by: Allegro Films
- Distributed by: Opus Arte
- Collaboration: In association with the BBC
- Websites:
#WeWantTheLight #ChristopherNupen #HolocaustDocumentary #ClassicalMusic #VladimirAshkenazy #EvgenyKissin #SurvivorStories #OpusArte #AllegroFilms
